I have not been known to be an individual that avoids life’s situations, because it all chalks up to learning experiences, but some experiences indicate a need to beware of certain consequences. Plagiarism, owning a car in SF, and riding the trains for free just because you can illegally hop on from the street, are all things with consequences that range from simple irritations, to fines, to life altering problems. So as a student at San Francisco State University I would avoid a few things:
1.) Do not try to survive by being a people pleaser.
But do be aware of the diversity of the people on campus and in this international hub that we call the “friendly city.” It really is a friendly city. There is also a lot of hype in the world today about having triggers and being a trigger for others. The truth is we all would have to vow not to speak to one another ever again if we don’t want to be hurt or hurt each other. We all have our special kind of hurt and sometimes, in order to grow, we must allow ourselves to feel pain and intentionally communicate from a place of compassion and mindfulness.
2.) Do not go into the financial aid office expecting instant gratification.
Any office that has a giant, invisible neon sign that reads “Red Tape” over it, takes time. And, if the people at the window cut you off and try to usher you out as quickly as possible, do not take it personally. They deal with upset folks all day long and have to put some defense up to get through the day. But, you can take a deep breath, refuse to leave so quickly, and say what you came to say. Or, make an appointment, first. I actually recommend those for better communication and meeting your needs.
3.) If you have FOMO (fear of missing out), avoid underestimating.
The amount of time it takes you to get your school projects done. Time management is no joke and you don’t want to stress about your schoolwork because you were out with friends too late or spent the weekend backpacking instead of studying. Trust me procrastination is the curse of all college students. So get your homework done early so you can experience college the way you want to! To get away from likely distractions, try going to study friendly environments, such as libraries, quiet coffee shops, or the hidden gem on the Terrace Level of the Cesar Chavez building Rigoberta Menchu Hall, a multi-level space where students go for quiet group study or napping.
4.) Maintain healthy habits both for your waistline and for your mental emotional health.
Avoid tons of caffeine and pulling all nighters. My dad was right; more often than not, it is more important to get a restful night’s sleep than it is to stay up all night just to be all wired and agitated during that big exam. This is when you can make the mistakes that you regret. For best results, spread out your activities evenly both in your schedule and mixing them up throughout the week or month. And don’t take all your fun electives first! You want those last couple semesters to be super fun too! Also, use the campus recreation/gym/pool, meetups around town and the campus health center to help maintain healthy habits.
5.) Do not be afraid to talk with your professor.
Your professor may require an email to setup an appointment because he or she (or phe, hey this is San Francisco where gender pronouns is a point of contention) is extremely busy. But, building a relationship with your professor can only help you in the short and long term. Think about when you might need a reference in the future!
Holly Alexis Sisson, MA, is an SFSU Alumna of 2011. She has two Bachelor of Art degrees in Psychology and Spanish.